Press



June 6, 1939. E. M. WINEGAR PRESS Filed Aug. 8, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. BY faMu/vo M M/VEGAI? m,

Mn am ATTORNEYJ June 6, 1939.

E. M. WINEGAR PRESS Filed Aug. 8 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 3

' BY fbMa/vo M Mme-@141? Patented June 6, 1939 UNITED STATES PRESS Edmund M. Winegar, Willoughby, Ohio, assignor to The Ohio Rubber Company, Willoughby, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 8,

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to presses and particularly to vulcanizing presses and means especially adapted for controlling the operation thereof. r

An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved means for controlling a series of operations, some of which are performed by fluid pressure actuated means, while others thereof are performed by electrical means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved press which will be, for the most part, automatic in operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved press, certain parts of which are operated by fluid pressure actuated means, while other parts are operated by electrical means, comprising novel control means for preventing the performance of certain functions until certain conditions exist in the fluid pressure system, and

vice versa.

Further objects and advantages of this invenart to which it relates from the following descriptionof the preferred embodiment thereof described with reference to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this'specification, in which similar reference characters designate like parts, and in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation'of a press embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the-fluid pressure and electrical control systems.

Theinvention is herein illustrated and described as embodied in a double deck vulcanizing press of the type disclosed in a cop'ending application of Forest L. Dawesand myself, filed J anuary 14, 1936, Serial No. 59,048.

Generally speaking, the press comprises two pairs of platens Hi and II, and I2 and I3 adapted to carry mold members on the adjacent facesthereof. The platens are movably supported on two sets of runway brackets l5 and I6, and I1 and I8 in such a manner that they can be moved into the press proper for performing the molding and vulcanizing operation and out of the press proper for facilitating loading and unloading of the molds. The runway brackets l5 and I6, and I1 and I8 are vertically offset and project from the opposite side of the press so that the molds .can be simultaneously loaded and unloaded by operators at opposite sides thereof, thereby reducing the time required toperform the loading operation.

The press proper consists of a base 22 and a stationary abutment member. orupper head23 1936, Serial No. 94,992

held in predetermined spaced relation above the base by side plates or strain members 24. The runway brackets l5 are carried by a lower head 25 positioned underneath the head 23 and connected to the upper end of a piston or ram 26 slidably supported in a cylinder formed in the base 22; The runway brackets l5 and ll are carried by a vertically movable floating member or head 2? positioned midway between the stationary upper head 23 and the movable lower head 25. The pair of platens Ill and H, which constitute the lower deck of the press, are hinged together through a lost motion connection and are adapted to be moved into and out of the press by an electric motor fill through the medium of a lead screw (not shown) having threaded engagement with a nut secured to the underside of the bottom platen l0. When the platens III are H are within the press proper they are located above the movable head 25 and underneath the floating or vertically movable head 21. The platens l2 and I3 which constitute the upper deck of the press are likewise hinged together through a lost motion connection and are adapted to be moved into andlout of a position intermediate the stationary upper head 23 and the floating member or head 2i, by an electric motor 3| operatively connected to the platen l2 in a manner similar to that in which the motor 30 is connected to the platen ID. The electric motors 30 and 3| are supported on the brackets fixed tothe rear sides of the heads 25 and 21, respectively. As previ ously stated, the lower runway brackets l 5 of the lower deck are attached to the lower head 25 and move therewith. The upper runway brackets I6 35 of the lower deck, and the lower runway brackets ll of the upper deck are carried by the floating head 21 and move therewith. The upper runway brackets 18 of the upper deck are fixed to the stationary head 23. 40

Positive means for opening the press is provided in the form of fluid pressure actuated motors 35 supported on the side members or plates 24 above the upper head 23. The motors 35 are operatively connected to the lower head 25 by rods 31, the lower ends of which are secured in bosses 38 projecting into cutout portions. or apertures 39 in the side members 24. The floating head 21 is guided in its vertical movement by the rods- 31 which extend through bosses Ml on either side of the floating head and the downward movement or lower positionthereof is limited or determined by stop members 4| fixed to the side members or plates 24. The construction of the press, less the control mechanism hereinafter described, is similar to that disclosed in the aforesaid application to which reference is made for a more complete description thereof.

The present invention contemplates the provision of power means for automatically raising the ram 26 and thus closing the press after both pairs of platens I0 and II, and I2 and I3 have been properly positioned intermediate the lower head 25 and the floating head 21, and the floating head 21 and the upper head 23, respectively. The press remains closed a predetermined length of time, the duration of which period may be changed, whereupon it automatically opens, and the platens automatically move out to the positions shown in Fig. 1.

Fluid, preferably water, under high pressure is adapted to be supplied to and exhausted from the cylinder in the base 22 for eifecting the closing and opening of the press under the control of a fiuid pressure actuated three-way diaphragm valve 48 located in a supply line 49. Fluid, preferably air, under relatively low pressure from a supply line 58 is employed for operating the valve 48 through the medium of a branch line 54. The flow of air through line 59 is controlled by two normally closed safety valves 55 and 56 connected in series with a three-way diaphragm valve 51, the purpose of which will be hereinafter apparent. The normally closed safety valve 55 is fixed to the press in such a. manner that it is opened by the platens I 0 and II of the lower deck as they reach their in position, that is, their position within the press, and the valve 56 is fixed to the press in such a manner that it is opened by the platens I2 and I3 of the upper deck as they reach their in positicn. The construction is such that the diaphragm valve 51 which controls the supply of air for actuating the valve 48 is not connected to the supply line until both pairs of platens or decks are properly positioned within the press.

The electric motors 30 and 3| are adapted to be connected to the supply lines L L and L through solenoid operated reversing switches A and B, respectively, of the self holding type. Preferably the motors are of the three phase alternating current type and provided with magnetic brakes. The in solenoid 59 of the switch A, that is, the solenoid which closes the circuit to rotate the motor 30 in a direction to move'the lower pair of platens I9 and II into the press proper, is in series with a manually controlled push button switch 60 in a switch box 6| fixed to the outside of one of the runway brac kets I5. When the push button 69 is released after being initially closed, the circuit to the solenoid 59 is maintained energized through the holding circuit of the switch A. When the platens reach their in position the holding circuit to the solenoid is broken by the opening of a normally closed limit switch 64 in a switch box 65 secured to the press in such a manner as to be actuated by the platens as they reach their in position. Simultaneously with the opening of the limit switch 64, the movement of the platenslll and II closes a normally open switch 88 also located within the switch box 65. A single actuating lever operates both of these switches and the purpose of the switch 66 will be hereinafter apparent.

The in solenoid 81 of the switch B is in series with a push button switch 89 in a switch box 18.

fixed to the outside of one of the runway brackets I1. After the push button switch has been oper ated to close the in solenoid of the switch B the circuit thereto is maintained energized by the holding circuit of switch B. As the platens I2 and I3 of the upper deck reach their in position, the holding circuit for the solenoid 81 is opened by a normally closed limit switch 12 in a switch box 13, the actuating lever of which is adapted to be moved by the upper platen I3. Simultaneously with the opening of the limit switch 12 a normally open switch 14 also located in the switch box 13 is closed. by the movement of the platens. The latter switch 14 is in series with the switch 88 and when both of these switches are closed a circuit is completed which energizes a quick start solenoid of a time cycle device of commercial construction, designated generally by the reference character C, the operating'mechanism of which includes a cam 8| and a cam follower 82. The cam follower 82 is supported on a pivot 83 and oscillation thereof about the pivot under the control of either the quick start solenoid 80 or the cam 8|, as will be hereinafter referred to, produces a vertical reciprocation of a bracket or frame 85 which, in turn, controls a plurality of three-way block air valves 86, 81, 88 and 89 and two micro switches 90 and 9|, the former of which is of the double throw type.

Energizationv of the quick start solenoid 80 pulls a member 93 down against the action of a spring 94, and rotates the cam follower in a clockwise direction under the action of cooperating cam surfaces 95 and 96 on the member 93 and an upper extension 91 of the cam follower 82, until the member 93 latches or hooks underneath a projection on the extension 91. This holds the cam follower 82 free of the cam 8! and provides a quick means for initially rotating the cam follower 82 to raise the frame 85 a short distance to open the normally closed air Valve 86 and supply air, through the normally open valve 81 which is in series therewith, to the diaphragm valve 51 which, in turn, admits air to the second diaphragm valve 48, thereby closing. the press. The initial movement of the frame 85 under the action of the quick start solenoid 88 also actuates the double throw micro switch 99 to break the circuit to the quick start solenoid 89 and close the circuit to a synchronous motor I00 which then drives the cam 8| at a constant but comparatively slow speed through a gear train indicated as IOI. After a slight rotation of the cam 8| under the action of the motor I00, the inclined surface I02 of the cam engages the cam follower 82 and as the follower rides over the initial high point I03 the extension 91 on the cam follower disengages the member 93 and allows the same to return to its up position under the action of the spring 94. Thereafter the cam fol-lower 82 is completely under the control of the cam 8 I.

Continued rotation of the cam 8| causes the cam follower 82 to travel over a series of notches I04 in the periphery of the cam which successively raise and lower the frame 85 to open and close the air valve 89, performing an operation referred to as bumping the press. A three-way valve I 05 is provided for manually bumping the press if such is desired. Further rotation of the cam 8I causes the, cam follower 8-2 to travel up the incline surface I06. onto an intermediate level or surface I01; As the cam follower reaches the level I01 the added upward: movement of the framev 85. opensthe normally closed air vlave 88, admitting air to the left hand end of a cylinder I08, thereby reciprocating or moving a rack I09 to the'right as viewed: in Fig. 2. 'I'hismovement of the rack I09 advances or rotatesthe. cam 8| an adjustable amount depending upon the location of a stop H9, through a pawl and ratchet mechanism not shown. A friction clutch interposed between the cam 8| and the motor I allows the cam M to be advanced without affecting the motor drive. After the cam has been advanced by the rack I69 a predetermined amount, depending upon the length of cure desired, it is again free to rotate under the control of the motor IUD.

After the expiration of the allotted time the cam follower 82 is again raised or rotated in aclock wise direction an additionalamount by an incline III. This lifts the frame 85 still higher, thereby closing the normally open air valve 81, which, in turn, actuates the diaphragm valve 51 to reverse the diaphragm valve 48 and open the press. At the same time the normally open micro switch 9| is closed, energizing a relay lid, the contacts of which are in series with normally open down limit switches H and H6, which remain open until the lower head 25 and floating head 21, respectively, are in their down position. When the down limit switches H5 and H6 close both pairs ofplates automatically move to their out position, that is the position shown in Fig. 1, at which time the circuits to the motors 30 and 3| are opened by out limit switches I ll and I I8, respectively. The down limit switches I I5 and I I6 are actuated by the movement of the lower head 25 and the floating head 21, respectively, and the out limit switches, which are in series with the out solenoids I I9 and I29 of the switches A and B, respectively, are actuated by the platens I0 and I2, respectively.

When the cam follower 82 drops off the high level H2 micro switch 90 returns to its original position, breaking the circuit to the motor I00, and opening the normally open air valve 89, which closed with the initial movement of the frame 85 under the action of the quick start solenoid 80, to admit air to the opposite end of the cylinder I08 and reset rack I89. 7 Air is supplied to the air valves 86, 81, 88 and 89 from the line 53 by a branch line I2I. nected to the air line which connects the valve 81 and the pneumatic valve 51 causes a lamp I23 to burn while the press is closed. This gives a visual signal indicating the condition of the press, and it will be understood that other signals may be employed as desired, or the same can be omitted altogether. Manually controlled push button switches I24 and I25 in the switch boxes BI and 10, respectively, permit either pair of platens to be moved out at will while the press is open. Similarly controlled push button switches I26 and I2! also in the switch boxes 6| and 10, respectively, are provided for emergency use and permit theoperation of the platens to be stopped at any time.

From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be evident that the objects of the invention have been accomplished. The platens and, in turn, the molds are continuously heated, and automatically presented to the operator upon the opening of the press. The time required to perform each cycle of operation is thereby reduced and at no time is the operator required to handle hot molds.

Although the invention has been herein illustrated and described as embodied in a vulcanizing press, it is not limited to vulcanizing presses, but can be embodied in presses of other types. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described somewhat in detail, I do not wish A pneumatic switch I22 conto be limited to the particular construction shown, which may be varied within the scope of the invention. It is my intention to cover all adaptations, modifications, and variations thereof that come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, and I particularly point out and claim the following:

1. In a press the combination of a press head, a movable ram, a pressure fluid actuated motor for moving said ram, a member movable into and out of a position between said press head and said ram, means for moving said member, a pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of fluid to said pressure fluid actuated motor, means for controlling the flow of fluid to said valve, said last mentioned means comprising a normally closed valve located between said pressure fluid actuated valve and the pressure fluid source for operating the same, means for automatically opening said normally closed valve when said movable member is positioned between said press head and said ram, a second valve located in the same pressure fluid line as said normally closed valve between said pressure fluid actuated valve and the pressure fluid source for operating the same, and an automatic timer for controlling the actuation of the last mentioned valve whereby the same is closed after said pressure fluid actuated motor has been connected to the source of fluid pressure for a predetermined interval.

2. In a press the combination of a press head, a movable ram, a pressure fluid actuated motor for moving said ram, a member movable into and out of a position between said press head and said ram, means for moving said member, a pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of fluid to said pressure fluid actuated motor, means for controlling the flow of fluid to said valve, said means comprising an electrically actuated timer for disconnecting said pressure actuated valve from the source of pressure fluid after the same has been connected thereto a predetermined time, and means for automatically closing the circuit to said electrically actuated timer upon said member being positioned intermediate said press and said ram.

3. In a press of the character described, the combination of a pair of opposed press heads, a pressure fluid actuated motor for moving one of said press heads toward the other to close the press, a runway carried by each of said heads and extending to regions exteriorly of the press, said runways being in parallelism. interiorly of the press and at least one of said runways diverging angularly out of the parallelism exteriorly of the press, mating mold sections carried by the respective runways, means for moving said mold sections along said runways in the open condition of the press, means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said motor, and means for preventing the flow of pressure fluid to said motor except when said mold sections are positioned between said heads.

4. In a press of the character described, the combination of a pair of opposed press heads, a pressure fluid actuated motor for moving one of said press heads toward the other to close the press, a runway carried by each of said heads and extending to regions exteriorly of the press,

mating mold sections carried by the respective runways, means for moving said mold sections fluid pressure line one in advance of the other,

heads, a pressure fluid actuated motor for movalong said runways in the open condition of the press, means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said motor, and means for preventing the actuation of said last mentioned means to connect said motor with the source of pressure fluid except when said mold sections are positioned between said heads.

5. In a press the combination of opposed press heads, a fluid pressure actuated motor for moving one of said press heads toward the other to close the press, a member movable into and out of a position intermediate said press heads, means for moving said member, means including a plurality of normally closed valves located in the same fluid pressure line one in advance of the other, for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said pressure fluid actuated motor, means for controlling the actuation of one of said valves, and means controlled by the position of said movable member for actuating another of said valves whereby said valve is open when said movable member is positioned intermediate said press heads.

6. In a press the combination of opposed press heads, a pressure fluid actuated motor for moving one of said press heads toward the other to close the press, a member movable into and out of a position intermediate said press heads, means for moving said member, means including a plurality of normally closed valves located in the same ing one of said press heads toward the other to close the press, a member movable into and out of a position intermediate said press heads, means for moving said member, a source of pressure fluid, a normally closed pressure fluid actuated 1 valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said pressure fluid actuated motor, a normally closed valve between the source of pressure fluid ,ior. operating said normally closed pressure fluid actuated valve and said valve, means for maintaining said last mentioned valve open while said movable member is positioned intermediate said press heads, and means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid for operating said normally closed pressure fluid actuated control valve.

8. In a press the combination of opposed press heads, a pressure fluid actuated motor for moving one of said press heads toward the other for closing the press, a member movable into and out of a position intermediate said press heads, means for moving said member, a source of pressure fluid, a normally closed pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said pressure fluid actuated motor, a second normally closed pressure fluid actuated valve between the source of pressure fluid and the first mentioned valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid for operating the first mentioned valve, means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid for operating said second normally closed pressure fluid actuated control valve, a normally closed valve between the source of fluid for operating the first mentioned normally closed pressure fluid actuated valve and said valve, and means for automatically opening said last mentioned valve when said movable member is positioned intermediate said press heads.

9. In a press the combination of opposed press heads, a pressure fluid actuated motor for moving one of said press heads toward the other to close the press, a member movable into and out of a position intermediate said press heads, means for moving said member, a source of pressure fluid, a normally closed pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to said pressure fluid actuated motor, a second normally closed pressure fluid actuated valve between the source of pressure fluid and the first mentioned valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid for operating the first mentioned valve, means for connecting said second normally closed pressure fluid, and means for automatically disconnecting said second mentioned normally closed valve with its source of pressure fluid after a predetermined time interval, a normally closed valve between the source of pressure fluid for operating the first mentioned normally closed pressure fluid actuated valve andsaid valve, and means for maintaining said third mentioned valve open while said movable member is positioned intermediate said press heads.

EDMUND M. WINEGAR.

do pressure flllld actuated valve with a source of V 

